A visit with Mr. X and Tucker #48, Auburn Indiana...1992

[Westi nghouse1963]

I have written to Mr. Follis about this event in my life several years ago when I was still a part of the e-mailing of Tucker Topics. I'm sure that being a public site and for privacy reasons, I will refer to my later meeting with the owner as Mr X.

I have been an old car person since an early age like all of us, and particularly became interested in the Tucker after the 1988 movie. That said...I set myself out on a quest to find one. I looked in magazines, new and old...car books by the hundreds (at the State of Michigan Library in Lansing), and finally thru Old Cars News Weekly...found out that Tucker # 1048 was located in Auburn Indiana, at the A.C.D Museum; and was on loan there on a semi-permanant basis.

After quite some fooling around, I finally was able to visit the museum in 1991 after insessantly pestering my mother to take me...I finally went to see the magical Tucker Car. It was there , located back in the now NATMUS section of the Museum , at the end of Gordon Buehrig Place. At that time it wasn't refered to as Natmus but was simply being used as the overflow for cars not able to be fitted into the museum's then layout.

I raced thu the actual musuem parts and did NOT see the Tucker. I was saddened to a point of hysteria. I then walked up to the front of the showroom where the original entrance was, with all the dignity and poise a young man at the age of 14 could, with some trepidation in my voice..asked the receptionist; "Do you folks have a Tucker 48 here". She said to me... why yes...it's just back in the old Cord building. Just go aruond the left side of the building and follow the drive down...and go they the open door!

Without telling my mother, or grandparents or anyone there for that matter, I raced down the drive; and almost tripped as I sailed thru the outer door. It was darker than the rest of the place lit maily by large hanging overlights...and as I followed this small corridor I could see that there were cars in there.

P.S. for those still reading the L-29 building was just then being utilized well for car display and was in it's infantile state and is NO WHERE near the place that it is today.

I looked at the end of the hallway and saw no Tucker. I looked thru most of the vast spaces that had a few cars dotted here and there, including the basement where there wasnt much of anything...except a feeling of creepiness of being in the huge manufacturing structure alone. still tho there was NO Tucker? I was crestfallen as I just wanted to see for myself the Tucker car.

I headed back for the entrance, expecting to be grounded for life for leaving without telling someone...and with that thought in mind just happened to look up at that very moment expecting to see my VERY angry mother coming to yank me back to our group... when I spotted a sideways glimpse of it's resplendent dark green glory. It was the TUCKER!!!! Seeing three headlights down by the closed garage bay door on the left hand side of the building...I would have NEVER seen it had I not looked around the entryway wall.

I paused for a moment...heart racing, breath short as I took in it's long low body. I walked slowly towards it (as if it would dissappear or something)...and just stood in front of it...staring at the massive steerhorn grille and running my index finger along the side of it and across the top of the taillamp housing. I remember it being very dusty looking like very few people actually had seen it recently ( I would think that being a newbie), and got on the ground and looked under the car trying to see what made the thing go.

I pressed my nose on the drivers window and noticed that the door was unlocked. Heart still racing, and already in trouble anyway I squeezed the handle and heard the pop of the doorlatch...and slid myself behind the wheel. At this point all I could smell was the scent of musty mohair and the feel of the smooth Lincoln Zephyr steering wheel in my hands...It was utopia for me if anyone excpet some lucy people. Glancing around and no one else still in sight or in the building..I reached my right hand up to the "pre-selector" shift and ran the pot metal knob thru all the gears knowing that unless the car was on it wouldn't do anthing...

I ran my fingers over the buttons of the Tucker radio and pushed in the cigarette lighter and then pulling it back out when that fleeting moment of sanity returned...and not wanting to ruin anything made sure it ws cooled off before inserting it back onto the hole from where it was located. Just at this time I heard a faint HEY...looking up mortified I saw my mother with a horribly perplexed look on her face...her young son sneaking a sit in the dark green Tucker- popping the ivory button on the inside of the door...I sulked out of the car..to my mom saying GET OUT OF THERE BEFORE YOU GO TO JAIL!!!!!

[Westi nghouse1963]

My mom found me.....I was dead.

She just said to me sit down in front of it and I will get your picture. So setting down on the cool cement floor my mom took my picture and said let's go before someone finds you out. At this point my grandparents and brother had come into the building and my brother on my enthusiasm for the car raced over to see it too. My grandparents commenting on how they heard so and such thing about the car when it was new, and why it was never made. I still don't remember what was said, but it diddn't matter....I had had five PERSONAl minutes...even if NOT legit behind the wheel of the wondercar of Preston Tucker's mind......HOW COOL.....

My mom snapped a few more pictures of my bro. and I by the car and my mom made the non discussable point and comment that we should be getting back home soon, her eye sternly on me. Ironically, she said nothing to me later about finding me in Mr. X's car...let alone possibly breaking the rules of the musueum..and the honorable mention that I left without permission from her.

That summer turned to fall when I learned after more searching, and pasting every photocopied picture I could find of the Tucker on my walls in my bedroom...did I find out that (pre-internet mind you)... there was another car #47 located in Hicory Corners Michigan at the Gilmore Classic car Museum. I persuaded my mother, yet again bending her rules to let my brother and I skip a day of school, so she could take us on an educational trip. She SUPRISINGLY agreed with her sideways glace of "what are you trying to pull mister look...." And off we went in search of the powder blue car of the future# 47.

We went there and it was a Friday and was a fairly busy day in fact as we were NOT able to get as near to this car as I was to Mr X's car. We snapped a few photographs of he and myself with that car and again racing thru all the barns to get to the Tucker. I left for home even more in love with the car than before.

That winter I learned, thru correspondence with the museum that Mr. X lived in Auburn Indiana, and that he also at the time resided in the home of the former president of A.C.D., E.L. Cord. She even graciously supplied the address so i could write Mr. X in person! I eagerly did so after watching my now well worn VHS copy of " Tucker"..and wrote Mr X in earnest carefully typewriting each page with NO mistakes...and sent it to him after being scared to do so ( like me sitting in his car stopped me before) and finally mailed my letter in early March, 1992. I just gushed to him about seeing his car, seeing number 47, wishing I could dust it (his car) , that the museum should take better care of his beautiful car, and that I wish I were lucky like "Christian Slater" and get to ride in one. This I did as if I had any buisness comparing myself to him....

I never expected a letter back, ever. Yet one came a few weeks later with a thick hand written note from Mr. X himself. It contained the basics of "thank you for writing me about my car, yadda yadda yadda , your a very nice young man..so on and so forth....I have several cars at the museum...what not and wherefore...Come down in June to a Tucker convention we're holding at the ACD museum..and I will PERSONALLY GIVE YOU A RIDE IN MY TUCKER!!!!!! That last part made me faint a little!

I stunnedly gave the letter to my mom...who said well we should plan another trip shouldn't we?

It was a VERY difficult few months to wait for that day and with that I recieved a phone call from Mr. X (forgetting that I had included it in my letter to him for whatever reason);personally reminding me that he expected to see me at the Convention and basically said just look for me I'll be wearing a white golfers hat? May was an exceptionally SLOW month and I never thought that June would arrive...but alas it did...and mom made finally made preparations for it to be a family trip...with the grandparents and that it would be a great time.

I remember leaving that Saturday morning after poking thru my breakfast...which is rare becasue I seldom poke thru a mealtime..but being as nervous as I was....one could imagine. The ride down seemed long and painful as well. And of course becasue my stepfather and his daughters had to come with (such a selfish guy I know); we had to stop at every bathroom it seemed like from Lansing Mi, to Auburn Ind.

Upon arriving I saw no Tuckers...and becasue I looked immediatly for the green chariot down where it was parked the fall before...I saw nothing except the bay door was open and it WAS GONE!!!! I charged for the main building thinking they all would be inside...and after getting previous permission to find who I needed to went on a search for Mr X and his green Tucker. I found many people inside the museum, and asked anyone who seemed important if they had seen Mr X...and if so where I could find him....nervousness be damned I wanted to see the car again!!!

I was politly by a A.C.D. guide, steered to a wonderful woman who was intorduced as Mrs X. After the introduction formalities, which I am SURE I was bad at...and talking at the speed of light Mrs X said to me: Well Chad, Mr X had been waiting all day to meet you. Come with me! I follwed her to a side entrance to the museum, and outside were parked both Mr X's Tucker...and yet another Tucker still owned by Mr. K, being the proud owner of #17. I heard becasue Mr. K's car was running fo the first time the Tucker's Franklin helicopter engine. It sounded so deep and powerful It sent shivers down my spine still does when I hear it.

Becoming somewhat nervous again, just about to turn 15 and all... It finally dawned on me that I was about to meet Mr X in person. Why I imagined him being this large imposing fellow was quickly born out as nothing becasue just then Mrs X politly interrupted her husband who was conversing with the other owner of Tucker # 17, and wearing a white golfers hat...turned to say hello dear. Mrs X said honey...this is Chad! the young man who wrote you from Mchigan! I politly shook his hand, even tho I was apinfully shy at the time...but honestly after talking to him for a minute or so...and taking in the fact that he was about as tall as I was, and was a super nice guy, skaking my hand and thanking ME for coming...I began to talk/ramble to him for like 5 minutes.

I do rememeber asking him if he would mind if I could videotape myself talking about the car. My grandfather had a VHS recorder..and took about 45 minutes of tape me talking about the car and it's features like I was doing a class project or soemthing. All Mr. X said to me was..do whatever you like! You're my guest!!!!

My family and there whereabouts were a blur after getting that invitation- but suffice to say they were being quite amused by it all as no one complained or anything. I asked him if I could sit in the car......and he was like Chad...do what you want..you wanna give it a spin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At this point of me stupidly reaching for the keys as if I could ...my mom said..YOUNG MAN YOU'RE 15 years OLD!!!!! He smiled and said...well we still will have our ride won't we...as he patted me on the shoulder! God I was in heaven! I slid agian behind the wheel as people looked on mysteriously, or at best kinda cockeyed as this young 15 year old kid got behind the wheel of a very rare car. I still smelled in deeply the musty mohair just as I remembered a fall before...I touched every button...and on film pretended to shift the Bendix Electric Hand device as if I was actually driving the car.

People still stared at me as I honked the horn on accident as I slid the palm of my hand over the hub of the steering wheel. All the time I was in there It was safe, ok and LEGIT!!! I slid over on the front seat and plopped my self in the "safety chamber" as I gleamed over out the window at my grandfather still inscribing indelibly on video my golden moment. With a gentle urging fomr my grandfather I got out of the car as he stated "you dont want to ruin you're welcome". I slid out from behind the seat slowly...ever so slowly to the now opened door and got out. I now did the obligitory on one knee pose in front of the car..as Preston himself did as did Jeff Bridges in the movie. It was a wonderful "five more minutes" as anyone could have ever wanted.

At this point it was suggested we break for lunch. The family being hungry so I told Mr. X what we were doing...and he joked about wanting a sandwich himslef.....he siad meet me back here at 2 pm and we will go for a spin in the car.

[Westi nghouse1963]

Lunch was unamusing- But while over in the park behind where the old Auburn factory was we learned by others , that also used the park as their picnic spot , that there were three more Tuckers out at the Auburn Inn. Well it was suggested that we go out there and see them to not miss them and to experience everything. I just wanted to run back over there to the musuem to have my ride in my dream car. I could care less about the other ones. I really conccted in my mind a plan to excape...but realizing the brutal punishment that would be given if I even considered the option...I went back to slowly chewing my sandwich.

We drove out to the Auburn Inn, where we saw a Silver, Dark Blue and Yellow Tucker parked side by side and roped off. One tucker was in pieces and I distincly remember the hubcaps saying Tucker-Esch? In fact as I leaned in to take a picture of the interior of the silver one...I was sternly warned, by it's owner to watch my belt buckle. Uhm well sir I'm wearing shorts..and I'm not that fashinonably bankrupt to wear one in the heat of summer with a tee shirt...but whatev- I was 15 I wasn't aware that people spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to own these cars. I understand now tho!

We went inside to be treated to a wondferful display of Tucker memoribilia...and in the Gordon Buehrig room upstairs...where ther was a large scale model of what was percieved to be the Tucker factory with a working train layout and all...my stepfather nudged me and said...hey that lady in the heels over there was just looking at a picture of Mr. Tucker and said that it was a horrible picture of her father. Optimistic as I was...I walked over to her and just said : "Excuse me? Are you Mr. Tuckers daughter?" The woman spun around on her heels and said why yes I am. I came face to face with Marilyn Lee Tucker-McAndrew.

Her response was why do you ask? And with no other thought in my 15 year old head...I said...."I have read all I can about your dad...and I think he's great and it's too bad that he wasnt allowed to make his car and he was a genius!!!!! and I wish that I could have met him"...and on and on I went for a minute or so as she just looked at me amused! She just bent down and hugged me tightly for like half a minute as she said...my dad would have liked you!!!!! Your such a nice young man, and Im glad that young people are keeping his memory alive. With that she just patted my shoulder and off she walked with her family I presume to look at more of what makes her father unforgettable!

I glided down the hallway back to the our car after getting a presumed ok from Mr. Tuckers daughter with every intention now that I was worth for a ride in her fathers car of the future.

When we got back to the ACD musuem Mr. X's car was still parked in front of the NATMUS museum where I had left it a few hours ago. Looking at my Timex...I noticed that it was now 1:50 pm. 10 minutes to spare. I searched high and low for Mr X, and couldn't find him. I was also unable to find Mrs X either. I raced thru the museum once again as well as what was NATMUS, and found them nowhere. Finally in desperation I turned again to that wonderful memeber of ACD, a lady whom I've forgotten her name and she isn't there anymore...to help me in my quest to find Mr. X, and was told that he was most likely in the luncheon for Tucker owners and members of The TACA. And that if I wasnt invited I couldn't go In but she would nicely go and see if he was in there.

She did and said that he was and that they were just about finished. My family had just about had enough of my "trip" and were starting to get antsy and wanting to get home. At the urging of my sisters we decided If we couldnt find him in a few minutes...that we would leave and I would have to try again some other time. Hearing this I went blank everyplace but my one goal was still in mind...to get to Mr. X and alert him that i was here..and I was gonna have to leave!!! Suffice to say that same ACD lady after basically crying to her about my travails went in to summon Mr.X that I was here and to come and see me.

He looked at me and said..you're not leaving without you're ride. I promised!!!! So he went back in and got his key's and said....okay let's do this!

We walked out the side of the building and he got in his car and said...well okay get in..let's go! I said...wait My family is in front of the museum..I have to tell them that i'm leaving!!!1. he said...well who's with you? I told him my brother and step-sisters...and he said..well go get them too..we can all go for a ride!

I frantically ran alongside of the ACD museum to get them...AND YELLED down the front of the building to where they were all standing by the front door..... and perplexing yet again curious bystanders..."HEY Susan, Melissa, Jeff...come on guy's!!! We all get a ride in the Tucker!!!! well we got back down to the car in toto the fastes I have ever seen my step-sisters move!

Well I got to sit in the front seat and after gunning the engine to life I began to in a way hyperventilate. Mr X asked me If I was ok..and I just barely got out a yes...as he whined in inderect grear of reverse backwards to turn around. As he pushed in the clutch the engine stalled! I was like NOOOOOOOO. this cant happen!!!! and as soon as that thought left to mind Mr X had the engine rapp tapp tappin again ..and flicked the magic finger into first gear let out the clutch and with that distinctive Whine we were off!!!!

We went around the city limits..and he even stopped for gas, at a local station as curious bystanders glanced over at us kids in a Tucker I waved like I was Queen Elizabeth to anyone who looked during that 15 minutes of being in a Tucker! soon we were back on Wayne St. which runs in front of the museum...and I could see my mom one knee down in the grass holding the VHS recorder getting a great frontal of the Forest Green tucker as it glided back into the parking lot.

I rememeber thanking Mr x profusely for like five minutes. And as I siad goodbye he invited be back to his house on another visit to rie in his Auburn or his L-29 Cord or even the Tucker again if I wished. At this moment and without warning I just hugged him and said thanks... I think it kinda took him aback...but he definitly should know how much it meant to me that he did this for me...a nobody kid from Michigan.

I wish i could tell you all that I went back to see him. I tried on several occasions..but it seemed that we never could jibe on a time. And as more years went past and the few times I saw the Tucker after ...usually in the main building ...and usually well dusted and cared for...I never saw Mr. x again. I wrote him once a few years later to remind him that I had NOT forgotten him or what that day did for me as a person...as my letter was sent back to me "Return to Sender" just like the Elvis song....i was crestfallen. My freind or...simply Mr X. had forgotten me......

I learned thru the grapevine that both of the X's had health issues and that most of their cars were sold including the Tucker to a man from Wisconsin who had won the Lottery. They had sold E.L Cords house, and moved to Texas for a better climate for both of them.

I write this in hopes that possibly if Mr.X still looks at the site occasionally he may see that I haven't forgotten him, and the generosity that he bestowed on myself and my siblings that June day 12 years ago. I still go to Auburn occasionally and have seen Mr K's Tucker #17 once or twice....and every time I still stare over at the bay door hoping once agian that I could see that dusty, three light, green powerhouse I saw that fall in 1991.

I have seen many Tuckers since then. I now live in Ypsilanti, a few blocks from 110 N. Park where all things Tucker started in 1946. I have stood on the Tucker's front porch and had a picture snapped and even stood on the hallowed grounds where the Ypsilanti Machine and Tool Company once stood...and just for a moment in my mind pretended as I stood there in the bright sunlight that I would be transported back to 1947 when the "Goose" was being bult inside there. I have seen the one at Henry Ford Museum , and have been down to see Mr. Jack as I call him... and his movie replicar of the blue Tucker, at YAHM (Ypsilanti Automotive) or the former Hudson dealership where I have recently given him..to be displayed at the museum a rare, mint and vintage copy of Colliers magazine from 1949 with Lester T. Velie's scathing account of Mr.Tucker inside.

I feel it fitting that I give something to the museum as I very much believe uin paying it forward...all stemming back to Mr.X's kindness that day where he forever changed the dreams of a now avid car nut.

Thank you Mr. X......wherever you are!

Thanks for listening/reading

[tucker46]

Chad, Thank You for that wonderful story. Very few things are emotional enough to bring tears to my eyes but this really did. It reminded me of me in the 60s when I sat in my first Tucker in Texas. It's great that we can share our experiences on the Tucker site to keep the enthusiam alive. A Man and His Dream! Walter

[WEP77]

This is an excellent article.

Would you please contact me at your earliest convenience. I am the Editor of Tucker Topics and I would like to email you.

topics@tuckerclub.org

Bill Pommering, Topics Editor

[Westi nghouse1963]

Hi,

Yeah it still brings tears to me too. What he did for me that day was nothing short of miraculous. I mean for real here he own one of 40 some odd still running Tucker's...and he invited me to not only see the car...but to ride in one. And took my siblings also....

Most of you should know who Mr. X is. Just check back to who owned it before the current guy.

My question is this.....and I know my memory...but...why did the shiftpost have four positions forward if it's a percieved three speed? I know that it has a shiftppost off the steering column just like every other Tucker I have seen. I also remember him shifting it distinctly four times as we pulled out onto Wayne Street for my ride...was a Cord based box eventually put in?

What happened to MrX? And does he remember me?


my email is westinghouse1963@yahoo.com

Thanks again....

[Westi nghouse1963]

Hi,

I thought that someone would have replied by now, but I was just wondering about Mr. X's whereabouts, and how he is doing...and if he remembers me at all. And just if for a moment, he knows that I definitly do remember him, and his kindness and generous nature.

I sent an e-mail to the member who asked for it.

Anyway...thanks again for the great site in which to post my thoughts of Tuckers, and my memorable even from long ago...

Chad M. Schieberl

[plancor 792]

Chad,
The Cord and the Y-1 both had a 4 speed transmission. Mr X? I'm not sure who you are referring to with him. Send me an email with his name and I will see what I can find out for you.
Tuckermch@bellsouth.net
Richard

[TuckerCar]

Gary Vick

[Westi nghouse1963]

It is Gary Vick. Mr Vick and his wife Sharon are Mr. and Mrs. X. I'm so glad that I had this opportunity to share this story with you all. It makes it all seem worthwhile to know that there is such a grand site to this car, and those whom love them.

Thanks everyone whom replied, and those who diddn't who read the story. It happened so quickly actually, compared to the length of the story. It seemed like that day was over in five minutes.

Best reguards to you all

Chad M. Schieberl

[Tuckerfan1053]

If you still have a copy of the video, you should have it ripped to a digital format and uploaded to youtube.com so that everyone can see it. You can see a video of 1003 in the middle of it's restoration here. You can see a low quality video of the car after it was painted here.

Great story, BTW.

[Bibbler]

Obituary - Posted: 7/21/04
Gary Vick

Gary C. Vick, 65, of Mabel, MN, died Tuesday, July 20, 2004 at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.

Gary was born October 25, 1938 in Winneshiek County, IA to Conrad and Grace (Roney) Vick. He graduated from the Mabel High School in 1958 and on October 29, 1960 was united in marriage to Sharon A. Dahl at the Mabel First Lutheran Church. The couple farmed for three years near Mabel before he started driving truck over the road.

He drove for Curt Wennes, Kenny Groth, and Armstrong Trucking before starting to drive for Roverud Construction in Spring Grove in May 1979. They had been spending winters in Mission, TX where they worked with the Mexican Children’s Refuge. He was an active member of the Mabel First Lutheran Church where he had previously served on the church council. Gary was also on the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery Board and was previously on the Mabel Ambulance Service for nine years. He enjoyed visiting with his many friends.

Gary is survived by his wife Sharon of Mabel; a daughter Tlisa (Gary) Schaefer, LeRoy; three sons, Tony (Melissa), Caledonia, Tim, Mabel, and Mark (Donna), Copperas Cove, TX; eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; a brother Duane (Carolyn), Charles City, IA; and a sister Charilyn (Ed) Hover, Decorah, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents Conrad and Grace.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, July 23, at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel with the Rev. Stephen Fiksdal officiating. Private burial will be in the Hesper Public Cemetery prior to the funeral. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 22 at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel. There will be no reviewal at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the American Cancer Society or the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery.

[Westi nghouse1963]

Yeah, that makes me VERY, VERY sad. May that wonderfful man rest in peace.

Chad Schieberl

[Westi nghouse1963]

I just noticed that I CANNOT spell I N D I A N A..see the top of the post.

I guess that this closes the chapter on the whereabouts of Mr. Vick. Of course many of you on here, and many of you will in the future know the whereabouts of all the Tuckers, and their owners.

I just have to place special emphasis on my doings with "that" specific Tucker, because It was closest to me...close enought to drive, ride in, feel and touch. And all of that was courtesy of the Vick's.

Okay I'm done now...


Thanks everyone who read, and provided me with information...


Chad

[Larry Clark]

The posted obituary describes an apparent fine, decent man but this is not the Gary Vick who owned Tucker car #1048. The Mr. Vick in the obituary died in 2004. If you go to the following web site, you will see Gary Vick at a car show in 2005: http://www.garagedlx.com/index_files/Page1413.htm.

Larry Clark